Will Louisa Boren STEM K-8 be forced to move? Followup meeting Tuesday night

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just before the end of last school year, we reported on Louisa Boren STEM K-8 parents’ concern that the district was looking at moving their school.

(WSB photo, June 1st meeting at Louisa Boren STEM K-8)

This culminated in an at-times-testy meeting June 1st (WSB coverage here) in which the district refused to rule out moving STEM K-8 out of Boren so the building could be used again as an “interim site” for other schools during rebuilds/remodels.

Last time we checked with the district to see where the situation stands, we were told they would come back to the community with an update “in August or September.” We’ve learned belatedly and indirectly – no district announcement was sent to the media nor to the wider community, and the meeting’s not on the district or school calendars – that this update will happen tomorrow night (Tuesday, October 24th), 6 pm at the school (5950 Delridge Way SW). We confirmed today with district spokesperson Tom Redman that the meeting is open to the public – anyone interested, regardless of whether you are a STEM K-8 family member or staffer.

Robin October 23, 2017 (2:15 pm)

Thanks Tracy for always covering schools – we appreciate you getting the word out. ANYONE can attend and in fact families and communities from Roxhill, Delridge area (where Boren is located), and middle school families concerned about overcrowding should come. Rumors are flying but any move or change directly impacts the entire West Seattle community.

Robin Graham

Heidi A October 23, 2017 (2:54 pm)

Note that whatever decision is made will effect MANY west Seattle schools, not just STEM. Considerations include temporary locations for Lafayette and Alki and whether Roxhill is temporarily or permanently moved to EC Hughes. West Seattle needs a united front!

D October 23, 2017 (3:18 pm)

that’s so shady and crooked! moving the school and not giving any notification to the public sounds sketchy. Keep the school where it is at, as it’s helping delridge thrive.

JRR October 23, 2017 (5:35 pm)

Roxhill is home to a lot of kids who need a lot of support, is a title 1 school and our building is obsolete. We’re working hard to build a playground this spring before our move to E.C. Hughes and the boundary has already been changed to reflect this new home, where we’re moving in the fall. Taking E.C. Hughes from Roxhill perpetuates institutional racism. Our communities have had little investment and we’re not an option school. The notion of another school “taking over E.C. Hughes” fills me with rage.

Heidi A October 23, 2017 (8:33 pm)

JRR, I feel and share your rage as a STEM parent. I don’t think any of us want to displace Roxhill and see the district break even more promises. Boren was officially and formally designated as our permanent location; the Roxhill community, long left out of BEX planning, has been promised a permanent move. There are options that don’t involve broken promises and displacing schools.

join us in advocating for all West Seattle schools!

Robin October 23, 2017 (10:20 pm)

JRR – I am a STEM parent and I agree with you 100%. If you can’t make the meeting – and even if you can – please watch the STEM Facebook page for updates and any potential meetings. The STEM community will not advocate for anything without many MANY conversations about how we can support each other. -robin